Detection device for luminescence analysis and automated analyzer

Abstract

A highly reflective light-guide system has a highly reflective light-guide surface for reflecting light that has been emitted from a sample and has entered from an entry port opposing a window material and propagating the same to an exit port opposing a light reception surface of a photodetector. An optical filter is provided in a space surrounded by the window material, the photodetector, and the highly reflective light-guide system and transmits the signal luminescence to be measured that is emitted from the sample between the window material and photodetector. The optical filter is fixed to the window material or photodetector by an adhesive, and the peripheral shape of the optical filter is smaller than the shape of the inside of a fitting part to which the optical filter is fitted and that is formed on the highly reflective light-guide system.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A detection device for luminescence analysis comprising:
 a base having an analysis area; 
 an optical window formed of a material that transmits light emitted from a sample in the analysis area and having a slot portion having a bottom surface closer to the base than a portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion; 
 a photodetector configured to detect a signal in the emitted light; 
 a hollow light-guide having a cylindrical shape and contacting the portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion, an entry port in contact with the optical window, an exit port in contact with the photodetector, and a reflective inner surface disposed between the entry port and the exit port; and 
 an optical filter provided in the slot portion of the optical window in a space defined by the slot portion of the optical window, the photodetector, and the light-guide, and which transmits the signal in the emitted light between the optical window and the photodetector, 
 wherein the optical filter is directly attached to the slot portion of the optical window via an adhesive, 
 wherein an outer dimension of the optical filter is smaller than an inner dimension of the entry port of the light-guide, 
 wherein a distance from the bottom surface of the slot portion of the optical window to the photodetector is greater than a distance from the portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion, and which is in contact with the light guide, to the photodetector, and 
 wherein a ratio of an area of the optical filter relative to an opening area of the entry port or the exit port of the light-guide is between 90% to less than 100%. 
 
     
     
       2. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the photodetector is a photomultiplier tube. 
 
     
     
       3. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a thickness of the optical filter is between 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm. 
 
     
     
       4. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 3  comprising:
 a measurement container including the base and the optical window; and 
 a measurement container retaining member having a shape corresponding to the measurement container and that covers at least part of a top outer peripheral surface of the optical window. 
 
     
     
       5. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein an inner peripheral shape of the entrance port or the exit port of the light-guide and an outer peripheral shape of the optical filter are both circular, and 
 a ratio of an area of the optical filter relative to an opening area of the entry port or the exit port of the light-guide is between 95% to less than 100%. 
 
     
     
       6. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 4  further comprising:
 a lens to collect light transmitted through the window material, 
 wherein the lens is disposed on the optical filter disposed on the window material or on the window material. 
 
     
     
       7. The detection device for luminescence analysis according to  claim 4  further comprising:
 an index-matching material disposed between the optical filter and the window material or the photodetector to reduce refraction of light. 
 
     
     
       8. An automated analyzer comprising:
 a reagent dispensing probe that dispenses a reagent to a reaction container; 
 a detection device for luminescence analysis that conducts luminescence analysis of a sample; and 
 a dispensing probe for detection device that dispenses a reaction liquid in the reaction container to the detection device for luminescence analysis as the sample; and 
 a display that displays a measurement result obtained by the detection device for luminescence analysis, 
 the detection device for luminescence analysis including: 
 a base having an analysis area to receive the sample; 
 an optical window formed of a material that transmits light emitted from the sample in the analysis area and having a slot portion having a bottom surface closer to the base than a portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion; 
 a photodetector configured to detect a signal in the emitted light; 
 a hollow light-guide having a cylindrical shape and contacting the portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion, an entry port in contact with the optical window, an exit port in contact with the photodetector, and a reflective inner surface disposed between the entry port and the exit port; and 
 an optical filter provided in the slot portion of the optical window in a space defined by the slot portion of the optical window, the photodetector, and the light-guide, and which transmits the signal in the emitted light, 
 wherein the optical filter is directly fixed to the optical window via an adhesive 
 wherein, in the case where the optical filter is fixed to the optical window, an outer dimension of the optical filter is smaller than an inner dimension of the entry port of the light-guide, 
 wherein a distance from the bottom surface of the slot portion of the optical window to the photodetector is greater than a distance from the portion of the optical window surrounding the slot portion, and which is in contact with the light guide, to the photodetector, and 
 wherein a ratio of an area of the optical filter relative to an opening area of the entry port or the exit port of the light-guide is between 90% to less than 100%.